hi, I'm posting this thread to get some feedback for a calandar I'm putting together for my team...I'd like a variety of masters' comments on what •inspires or motivates you about swimming, or
•what realizations or truths swimming has helped you see.
I may use some of your quotes (with or without your name/usms forum user name, as you request) as a "thought for the day" idea. So please don't reply unless you don't mind being quoted! By the way, this is a not-for-profit team handbook project.
I'll be very gratefull for any feedback you send. I thought other forum readers might enjoy the comments, too.
Thanks!
Lexa:)
Former Member
Lexa,
Interesting post. I'll gladly put in my thoughts:
Inspires or motivates me to swim:
I'm motivated for the ultimate desire to achieve my personal best and achieve results I never thought possible. True inspiration comes from fellow athletes, whether it's an older Olympic athlete swimming and winning gold, an athlete that overcomes a setback like illness and then triumphs, or a fellow Masters swimmer of any age dedicating themself to try their best. We all would love to break records, but I've learned it's the "journey" that's the success and not necessarily the finish.
Realizations and truths swimming has helped me see:
Having grown up a non-athletic person and always wondering what I could have achieved, swimming as an adult made me realize we can achieve new triumphs no matter how old.
Now, this isn't my quote, but is from the Santa Clara Swim Club famous Coach *** Jochums. I keep it posted in my kitchen and read it before going to swim every day. Thought you might be interested in reading it:
"Those who strive, those who leave nothing on the table, those who will take the risk, will all be winners. Life is truly sweeter for those who truly live it. The world belongs, and will always belong, to the people who participate. Those who stand on the outside, who never risk, who never fail, cannot now, or will they ever, understand the beauty of each breath of life. So don’t feel sorry for those who fail, feel sorry for the majority that never participate. They’ll just never understand, let alone feel, all that life can and should be."
Regards,
Dan
My Goal -
To be swimming when I am 100 (if I am swimming, I am not dead - right?)
To achieve my objective, I swim (not obsessively), and try to think about how to lead a balanced life (Physically, Professionally, Family, personally - though not neccesarily in that order).
My inspiration is at every local meet when I see older swimmers. Like I said, I want to be swimming when I am 100, so I need to learn from the best...
Chris B.
Chris,
Like your approach.
My yoga instructor came up with a good one, "you're as young as your spine is flexible." So, get out there and do your stretching program already!
Matt
This isn't as inspirational as the last one but it gets me out of bed every morning. I tell myself:
One more hour of sleep will leave you sluggish and disappointed in yourself, while, a great workout is exhilarating, and something to be proud of. Get up!
wannabeafish - Your post is quite inspirational to me being someone that is not a morning person and has yet to get in morning workouts. Maybe I'll be amazed at how much I can do in the morning vs. my current evening swims. You've inspired me to "get up" and try.
Hello Lexa,
I don't know the origin of this quote, but it pushes me in many ways, not the least of which is to swim practice! The quote:
"The pain of discipline will always be less than the pain of regret."
As a child grown old trying to recapture her squandered youth, I know the latter mentioned pain and am working now to appreciate the benefits of the former. The payoff of swimming discipline is big!
Good luck with your project!
Kim
i once read something, which i seem to remember was a qote from a monk(!) which is what motivates me now:
"you can start and then you can keep going"
i know it seems simple but it keeps me going!
Deb - Metro is not to far from me, I will see if I can find the team. I also defnintely swim so I can eat (more ; )!
Of course you could go with the mantra a swimmer friend in college used to chant to himself to keep motivated:
Good, better, best;
Never ever rest
Until your good is better,
and you better is the best.
I affectionately called it the creed of the sociopathic obsessive compulsive... He now does Ironman triathlons.
Or you could go with my High School's slogan: " Practice does not make perfect, Perfect practice makes perfect."
Again, slightly obsessive compulsive, but at least there is some truth to this one...
Happy swimming (and eating) !
Chris
Chris-
I think there is a team in Metro NY that has a slogan on their shirts that says something like, "The last one alive, wins."
Fits with your philosophy. Mine is not quoteable: I swim because I swim (and so I can eat).
